I. Nuclear Equations Mass numbers and atomic numbers are conserved in nuclear equations

J. Nuclear Reactions – Alpha Decay Alpha particles 2 4 He 2+ charge Mass number: 238 = 234 + 4 Atomic number: 92 = 90 + 2

90 230 Th  88 226 Ra + ___ 2 4 He Balancing Nuclear Equations Mass number: 230 = 226 + x x = 230-226 = 4 Atomic number: 90 = 88 + y y = 90-88 = 2 2 4 He

88 228 Ra  89 228 Ac + ___ J. Nuclear Reactions - Beta Decay Beta (ß) particles −1 0 e 1- charge Mass number: 228= 228 + 0 Atomic number: 88 = 89 + (-1) 88 228 Ra  89 228 Ac + ___

93 239 Np  94 239 Pu + ___ −1 0 e Balancing Nuclear Equations Mass number: 239 = 239 + x x = 239-239 = 0 Atomic number: 93 = 94 + y y = 93-94 = -1 −1 0 e

Gamma ray 0 0  zero charge Mass number: 230 = 226 + 4 J. Nuclear Reactions - Gamma Radiation Gamma ray 0 0  zero charge Mass number: 230 = 226 + 4 Atomic number: 90 = 88 + 2

0 0  56 137 Ba  56 137 Ba + ___ Balancing Nuclear Equations Mass number: 137 = 137 + x x = 137-137 = 0 Atomic number: 56 = 56 + y y = 56-56 = 0 0 0 